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Chapter 11 – Temple Of Time
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Holding the teddy bear in her hands, Guila looked up to her father "a princess?".
Dale nodded briefly "yes, the third princess, to be exact".
Guila mumbled nervously, tightening her hold on her teddy bear "why do you ask me to be a good friend with the princess, Daddy? What if she didn't like me?".
"oh no, my dear! Because princess Elizabeth needs friends, I want to introduce you to her, since I've been assigned as one of her bodyguards", Dale waved his hands rapidly before giving his best reassuring smile. Patting her head, he smiled almost ruefully "I believe the princess will like you and I hope you can be a good friend with her. She must be feeling lonely. Can you do it for me?".
Guila contemplated her father's words, trying to comprehend the reason behind her father's words. She had heard the story about the third princess who closed off her heart to everyone after losing her favorite Knight in front of her eyes. As a child, Guila didn't understand the reason why the adults, mostly from the Holy Knights, covered the real story about what happened on the Nation Foundation Festival. Her father, Dale was one of the most kind-hearted Holy Knight she had ever known. One of those who didn't believe that the Sins would commit such treason, but unable to voice it out loud as princess Elizabeth did. Even if it was enough to be a reason why Elizabeth chose Dale to be her bodyguard.
In front of the study room where the princesses had their study with their mentor, Guila fidgeted her fingers nervously before tugging her father's trouser "...father, what should I do to make the princess like me and want to be my friend?".
At that, Dale only smiled and ruffled her head "you only need to be honest with yourself and act just the way you are in front of the princess because the princess likes an honest person and she dislikes someone who lied to her".
Guila clenched her hands with resolve in her mind. Yosh, she could do it!
Suddenly, they could hear someone's screams from inside. More precisely, it was the sound of the argument between Veronica and Elizabeth. It seemed the second princess and the third princess were arguing, again. Surely, this often happened, from how Guila's father facepalmed and Margaret didn't even try to stop them, only observed them tiredly. Peeking inside nervously, Guila asked herself again inwardly "can I do it?".
After the father-daughter listened to them carefully, later they understood that Veronica and Elizabeth were arguing about Elizabeth's swordsmanship training.
"just stop being stubborn, Ellie! You are a princess and you are too weak for this!".
"That! I am a weak princess, so I have to learn to be stronger!", so unlike an ordinary child on their 7 years old, Elizabeth stubbornly crossed her hands, adamantly "give me ONE reason about why am I not allowed to train with the sword when you even joined the Three Misfits for your swordsmanship training".
Veronica groaned in frustration "that's why I said... you are still too small and your body is fragile, Ellie! We are older and our body is stronger, so it's fine! Not to mention, you also do not even have a single partner for your swordsmanship training, right? You also do not like to train with the other Holy Knights because you hate them. Am I right?".
At that, Elizabeth snapped back "it's not that I hate them! I just dislike how people treat me as if I am a fragile glass that will be shattered into pieces when you do not be careful with me! Just the same as you and those Holy Knights did!".
Thinking it had been enough, Margaret wrapped her arms around Elizabeth's shoulders and hugged her from behind. She knew, just like Gilthunder, her little sister was still upset even if it had been a year after that tragedy.
Turning her body so they could look straight in the eyes, Margaret asked gently "Elizabeth, tell me... why do you so stubbornly want to do the swordsmanship training?".
"older sister, instead because I know how to hurt it has been, losing someone you cherished... I choose to raise my weapon, so I can proudly stand with my own feet and fight to protect my people", Elizabeth side-glanced pointedly to Veronica "in the end, what other people can do only reach their hands. The ones who can save ourselves from our misery, only our self. Care to tell me that I am wrong?".
Guila was taken aback in awe. How could a seven years old childlike princess Elizabeth even think and feel such a thing, she wondered? Guila thought back to her conversation with her father and what the third princess had been going through. Guila realized one thing in her heart "ah, she must be feeling lonely...".
Guila could understand it because she felt the princess was similar to her. The difference was, perhaps, she was still lucky. Just like Elizabeth, their father had been busy with their job and they did not have a mother figure anymore, leaving them only with their siblings. However, unlike Elizabeth, Guila was okay because she still had her little brother, Zeal. As a commoner and a daughter of a Holy Knight, Guila was free to choose her future. Elizabeth was an entirely different case. Even though she was the third princess, she still had the obligation and responsibility as a princess of this Kingdom and it was a heavy burden to be shouldered by a child-like Elizabeth. Yet, Elizabeth didn't complain and move forward, she fully knew what she should do as a princess despite her young age.
At first, the reason Guila wanted to train swordsmanship, was because she wanted to protect her brother, especially when her father was not around. She was still young to understand this, but soon as she was older, Guila understood that Elizabeth had the quality as a Queen. As a Knight, Guila wanted to serve her and help her in her path, no matter how dangerous and painful the path in front of them.
Knocking the door, Guila opened the door and walked in. When the princesses turned their attention to her, Guila lifted her skirt and crossed one hand across her chest. Guila bowed her head and introduced herself to the princesses before she walked forward till she stood in front of Elizabeth, face to face.
Steadying her posture, Guila confidently told Elizabeth "I am as old as your sister, the second princess, princess Veronica. However, I started my swordsmanship training when I was 7 years old, at the same age as you are now, princess. I came here because my father brought me here with the hope that I can be your friend, but would you give me the honor to be your partner in your swordsmanship?".
Elizabeth's face lit up, just like the ordinary children would when they just got a new friend "yes, of course! I'd love to be your friend and your swordsmanship partner!".
Veronica shouted in irritation "hey! You could have asked me instead of her?!".
Elizabeth rolled her eyes in disbelief "didn't you just say that I shouldn't do the swordsmanship training?".
Guila lifted her finger and indifferently stated the matter of fact "my apologies for my impudence, princess, but I think it's better to be honest with your little sister that you only worried about her and you want to be her partner in swordsmanship training rather than tried to stop her and being mean to her with telling that she's weak and incompetent. Your action is not wise and it can be counted as a mild abuse".
Elizabeth grabbed both Guila's hands with an awestruck expression "you are so smart! I will call you 'big sister' from now on".
Guila stuttered and embarrassed, waving her hands "no need, princess! You can just call me Guila. I am from the lower class, after all...".
"Nah, since we are friends, no need to be so strict about formality, okay?", Elizabeth tapped her bicep encouragingly before she dragged Guila to the courtyard "let's start our training from today!".
Ever since that day, the princesses sometimes spent their time with Guila. In their swordsmanship training session, Elizabeth and Guila sometimes had a match against Veronica and the Three Misfits. Elizabeth did not feel too lonely when she was with Guila, Dale, the Three Misfits, and her family.
Until that day, Elizabeth followed Guila down to the secret passageway and she saw red in the middle of the Darkness. Thus, ever since that time, Elizabeth and Guila turned their back against each other, walking down the different paths.
…They were truly close friends…
CLASH!
Elizabeth's sword and Guila's rapier clashed against each other, both pushing their weapons against each other before they jumped backward. Panting, Elizabeth lifted her sword, steadying her posture. She knew that her opponent was not someone easy to be taken down. The question now, how could she win over this battle and find out the path to enter the Temple of Time while trying to escape from the Dementor?
Elaine warned, "Elizabeth, watch out!".
Elizabeth shifted to the side and barely avoided Guila's bomb, getting another scratch on her cheek. The bomb exploded when it touched the crystal behind Elizabeth. Using the smoke as a cover, Elizabeth went to hide behind the crystal pillar. Leaning her back on the crystal pillar, Elizabeth ripped her handkerchief and wrapped it around her bicep to stop the bleeding.
Peeking to Guila who was looking around, Elizabeth tried to think what she should do "think. How could I win in our fight? Or should I just run away and try to figure out how to enter the Temple of Time? But I have to think about how to sneak into that place while escaping the Dementor".
Elaine bit her lips. If only she could fight, too. Unfortunately, as a ghost, she could do nothing "is there nothing I can do to help Elizabeth?".
She had one thing she could do, but it was a dangerous option. Elaine remembered there was one thing that people should do to enter the Temple of Time and escape the Dementor, but if Elizabeth failed, she could die. Then, Elaine remembered the steel-cladded determination and resolve on her eyes.
…perhaps, it was worth to try talking about it with her.
As if she could read her mind, Elizabeth asked, turning her head to the ghost fairy "Elaine, you know about how to enter the Temple of Time and escape the Dementor, do you? You know a lot about the Temple of Time. Could it be… because you also want to enter that place?".
"…yes, I do", Elaine admitted and put her clenched fists on her chest, crying out loud "I know, I'm dead already, but I can't help it! I miss him, so much! I only want to see Ban one more time!".
"I understand. I, too, want to meet with him again. Even if I have to risk my life, I want to try my best, so I can meet him again", Elizabeth reached out her hand, leaning her palm with Elaine's transparent palm that felt like touching the thin air "let's do it together".
Elaine said hesitantly "…after I tried looking for the way to enter the Temple of Time, I heard that you can enter the Temple of Time and escape the Dementor if you—".
Elizabeth's pupils dilated before she narrowed her eyes and declared without a doubt "…I see. It's worth trying".
Actually, in the middle of her fight against Guila, Elizabeth kept listening to this strange voice. The voice of a woman whispered near her ear, calling her name.
"O', you are the one who has been in love with a Demon. Please, don't you dare to cry. You choose this path".
Okay, wasn't it sounded so creepy? Out of the fact how that voice musically chimed in, sweetly alluring to her ear as she kept calling Elizabeth to come to their side.
She didn't afraid. Nothing could make her afraid unless it would make her lost someone she cherished.
"that's a brave girl~ do you want me to tell you something?".
Elizabeth twitched her eyebrow, having a sudden headache "unless it's something useful that can help me enter the Temple of Time and escape from Dementor or fight them, shut it".
"aw, please don't be so mean towards me. Of course, this will benefit you. I will tell you how to enter the Temple of Time without meeting the Dementor".
Standing tall on top of the crystal above Guila, Elizabeth raised her sword "let's end this, Guila".
"I believe it's my line. I will bring you back to the Liones no matter what", lifting her rapier, Guila stood in a stance "Shoot Bomb!".
Elizabeth jumped to the side and dodged more fireballs upcoming her way. When Elizabeth barely stabbed her torso, Guila blocked it and Elizabeth curtly remarked "you indeed have earned an immense magic power and successfully promoted into a Holy Knight. However, the way you earned that power, it's wrong. Would your father approve it?".
"shut up! This is the only way I knew to protect my brother! This is my justice!", Guila somersaulted backward and sent her Brilliant Detonation "what a princess like you know?".
"Have you forgotten, Guila? I am not even their sibling", Elizabeth walked backward until she stood on the edge of the cliff and smiled "it's such a shame. Even if I thought of you as my friend… in the end, we can't properly apologize to each other, huh?".
Guila shouted her name and vaguely, Elizabeth remembered as her body fell backward, floating on the air.
After the news about Guila's father, Holy Knight Dale's disappearance, it had been hard for both Guila and Zeal. Elizabeth had tried her best to help them, like trying to send the investigation team to find Dale or looking for any clue in every archive at the library. However, Guila still chose that path. Succumbing into their darkness, Guila chose to drink the Demon Blood and Elizabeth chose to not believe anyone but herself. At least, until she met with Tristan with his family and the Sins.
Hendrickson and Helbram, who had dragged Guila down to that path, also dragged her to 'that place' and again, she saw red. Elizabeth tried to ignore it, burying the fact of it and hiding within the shell. Until she remembered it because she heard that whispers.
"let me remind you if you don't remember. Whoever can enter the Temple of Time, because the easiest way to enter that place, is to die on the Necropolis. Other than that way, only the chosen people who have earned the divine protection from the Goddess or the cursed blessing from the Demon, or the ones who get the invitation from the Deity of Underworld, who are allowed enter the Temple of Time".
King clapped his hands "I believe that these two our Captain's son and Merlin's little sister".
When the others hid under Iseult's protection within the Perfect Cube, Tristan used his Sacred Treasure, a bow that also could function as a harp, Failnaught. Using Harp of Purification, Tristan shot several arrows to purify the vile creatures. Lowering his bow, Tristan sighed and ordered them to find Elizabeth as soon as possible.
Ban ran beside him, carrying Hawk "do you have any idea about where we can find her?".
Tristan narrowed his eyes "more or less".
Diane gasped and screamed in a horrified manner "look!".
They were shocked to see what happened. Elizabeth fell backward, off the crystal where she had stood when she avoided the bombs from a certain Holy Knight in front of her and the top of a crystal below her pierced her torso.
Diane cried out loud as she tried to get Elizabeth off of the crystal "Elizabeth! Get yourself together! Stay with us!".
Ban remembered how Elaine got pierced by the Red Demon's attack, looking at the hole on Elizabeth's torso and he screamed in a rage "YOU B*TCH! What have you done to her?!".
Almost at the same time as Ban, Tristan barely activated his Demon mark while he was sending several arrows to Guila in calm fury. Before Tristan activated his Demon Mark, though, Iseult snapped her fingers and sent Guila's soul back to the human realm. Turning to where they surrounded Elizabeth, Iseult clicked her tongue. They had no choice.
"Triss, I will release your seal", earning his numb looks and a brief nod, Iseult gritted her teeth and snapped her fingers "I Release Thee!".
Tristan grunted when three pairs of grey wings appeared out of his back, shocking them all. Not only that, he even had the triskelion marks, the symbol of the Goddess Clan, on his pupils. Tristan reached out his hand and asked Iseult to support Elizabeth's body "Invigorate".
All Elizabeth's wounds fully healed, but she hadn't regained her consciousness yet. When she opened her eyes, everyone wanted to pester her about how had she been feeling, but they struck in shock when Elizabeth reached out her hands, cupping Tristan's face "please, don't cry… someday, we will meet again for sure, my son…".
The others didn't understand what happened right now. Tristan, Iseult, and Isaye did. They knew what did it mean, when they saw the triskelion marks, the symbol of Goddess Clan member, on Elizabeth's pupils. Truthfully, they always remembered her. Now, she also remembered them.
"Elizabeth!".
Elizabeth opened her eyes slowly, looking up "…Elaine?".
Elaine hugged her and cried out in joy "you're awake!".
After they broke the hug, Elizabeth looked around "where are we?".
"well, I don't know how I got dragged by you, but I guess… we are in the Temple of Time right now! We did it!", Elaine shook her hands before pointing to behind, cautiously asking "but… can you tell me, what are those? You see, the wings on your back".
"huh?", only now Elizabeth scrutinizedly observed her appearance. She wore a new dress, a beautiful white dress like a wedding dress with embroidery on the cleavage and pearls on the sleeves. She shivered a little due to the chill air on her exposed back, but it was not important now. What more shocked her, the fact that she had two pairs of wings on her back "what the—!?".
Next second, she briefly remembered her past-life memories, including her life as a Goddess princess and his lover on the ancient Holy War.
When Elizabeth started crying, Elaine bewildered, flailing her hands "Elizabeth? What's wrong? Where does it hurt?".
"no, it's not that…", Elizabeth sobbed "I'm just too happy…".
Truthfully, she had always been the part of their family. This time, Elizabeth would not fail them. Wiping her tears, Elizabeth smiled tearily and reached out her hand to Elaine "let's go, Elaine. Let's find a way to go back to our beloved people's side".
Elaine didn't quite understand what happened, but she accepted her hand.
"Welcome to the Temple of Time, our honorable guest".
Elizabeth hid Elaine behind her "who are you?".
The man cladded in a black cloak with a scythe on his hand only smiled to them "I am Thanatos. The God of Death, the Head of Grim Reaper Division. You two have gotten the invitation from my mother in law, the Deity of Underworld, Lady Persephone".
Elizabeth put her clenched fist on her chest "Aunt".
Elaine snapped her head "HE!?".
Thanatos explained that Persephone, the Deity of Underworld, and Supreme Deity of Goddess Clan were siblings, so it made Elizabeth as Persephone's niece. Right now, Elizabeth and Elaine entered the Temple of Time with only their soul. Elaine had died, and her body had been long buried by Ban. Elizabeth was still alive, she only fell into a comatose sleep and her body was with Tristan and the others right now.
Elizabeth skeptically asked, "but… mother in law, you said?".
Thanatos gently smiled "ah, yes. Lady Persephone has four children. Two sons named Ploutos and Zagreus. Two daughters named Macaria and Melinoë. I am Macaria's husband. Now, enough with the introduction. Follow me, Lady Persephone wants to talk with you two. Come this way".
Elizabeth and Elaine exchanged glances. Unsure of what happened, they only could follow Thanatos for now.